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Retinoblastoma

National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

ImportantIt is possible that the main title of the report Retinoblastoma is not the name you expected.

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Retinoblastoma is an extremely rare malignant tumor that develops in the nerve-rich layers that line the back of the eyes (retina). The retina is a thin layer of nerve cells that sense light and convert it into nerve signals, which are then relayed to brain through the optic nerve. Retinoblastoma occurs most commonly in children under the age of three. The most typical finding associated with retinoblastoma is the reflection of light off a tumor behind the lens of the eye, which causes the pupil to appear white, the so called "cat's eye reflex" (leukokoria). In addition, the eyes may be misaligned so that they appear crossed (strabismus). In some affected children, the eye(s) may become red and/or painful. The presence of a retinoblastoma may cause glaucoma, a condition marked by a rise in the pressure within the eyeball preventing the normal drainage of fluid from the eye and potentially causing characteristic damage to the optic nerve. Retinoblastoma may affect one eye (unilateral) or both eyes (bilateral). Bilateral forms of retinoblastoma are hereditary. In most cases, retinoblastoma occurs spontaneously for no apparent reason (sporadic).

Supporting Organizations

American Cancer Society, Inc.

250 Williams NW St

Ste 6000

Atlanta, GA 30303

USA

Tel: (404)320-3333

Tel: (800)227-2345

Website: http://www.cancer.org

American Childhood Cancer Organization

10920 Connecticut Ave

Suite A

Kensington, MD 20895

Tel: (301)962-3520

Fax: (301)962-3521

Tel: (800)366-2223

Email: staff@acco.org

Website: http://www.acco.org

Cancer Support Community

1050 17th St NW Suite 500

Washington, DC 20036

Tel: (202)659-9709

Fax: (202)974-7999

Tel: (888)793-9355

Website: http://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/

Cancer.Net

American Society of Clinical Oncology

2318 Mill Road Suite 800

Alexandria, VA 22314

Tel: (571)483-1780

Fax: (571)366-9537

Tel: (888)651-3038

Email: contactus@cancer.net

Website: http://www.cancer.net/

Childhood Eye Cancer Trust

The Royal London Hospital

Whitechapel Road

London, E1 1BB

United Kingdom

Tel: 2073775578

Email: info@chect.org.uk

Website: http://www.chect.org.uk

CureSearch for Children's Cancer

4600 East West Highway, Suite 600

Bethesda, MD 20814-3457

USA

Tel: (626)447-1674

Fax: (626)447-6359

Tel: (800)458-6223

Email: info@curesearch.org

Website: http://www.curesearch.org

Eye Cancer Foundation

115 East 61st Street, Suite 5B

New York, NY 10021

Tel: (212)832-7297

Fax: (212)888-4030

Email: contactus@eyecarefoundation.org

Website: http://www.eyecarefoundation.org

Eye Cancer Network

115 East 61st St, 5th Floor

New York, NY 10021

Tel: (212)832-8170

Fax: (212)888-4030

Email: pfinger@eyecancer.com

Website: http://www.eyecancer.com

Friends of Cancer Research

1800 M Street NW

Suite 1050 South

Washington, DC 22202

Tel: (202)944-6700

Email: info@focr.org

Website: http://www.focr.org

Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center

PO Box 8126

Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126

Tel: (301)251-4925

Fax: (301)251-4911

Tel: (888)205-2311

Website: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/

Institute for Families

4650 Sunset Blvd Mail stop 111

Los Angeles, CA 90027

USA

Tel: (323)361-4649

Fax: (323)665-7869

Email: info@instituteforfamilies.org

Website: http://www.instituteforfamilies.org

Livestrong Foundation

2201 E. Sixth Street

Austin, TX 78702

Tel: (512)236-8820

Fax: (512)236-8482

Tel: (877)236-8820

Email: media@livestrong.org

Website: http://www.livestrong.org

NIH/National Eye Institute

31 Center Dr

MSC 2510

Bethesda, MD 20892-2510

United States

Tel: (301)496-5248

Fax: (301)402-1065

Email: 2020@nei.nih.gov

Website: http://www.nei.nih.gov/

National Cancer Institute

6116 Executive Blvd Suite 300

Bethesda, MD 20892-8322

USA

Tel: (301)435-3848

Tel: (800)422-6237

Email: cancergovstaff@mail.nih.gov

Website: http://www.cancer.gov

Perkins School for the Blind

175 North Beacon Street

Watertown, MA 2472

Tel: (617)924-3434

Fax: (617)926-2027

Email: Info@Perkins.org

Website: http://www.Perkins.org

Rare Cancer Alliance

1649 North Pacana Way

Green Valley, AZ 85614

USA

Website: http://www.rare-cancer.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). For a full-text version of this report, go to www.rarediseases.org and click on Rare Disease Database under "Rare Disease Information".

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

Last Updated: 4/14/2008Copyright 2008 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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